SeeMyQuiltFour-Rail Fence quilt block
Four strips sewn side by side. Turn every other block for a zigzag.
Cutting chart by block size
6" Four-Rail Fence (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 1 rectangle | 6 1/2" × 2" | – |
| Background | 1 rectangle | 6 1/2" × 2" | – |
| Accent | 1 rectangle | 6 1/2" × 2" | – |
| Fabric 4 | 1 rectangle | 6 1/2" × 2" | – |
8" Four-Rail Fence (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 1 rectangle | 8 1/2" × 2 1/2" | – |
| Background | 1 rectangle | 8 1/2" × 2 1/2" | – |
| Accent | 1 rectangle | 8 1/2" × 2 1/2" | – |
| Fabric 4 | 1 rectangle | 8 1/2" × 2 1/2" | – |
10" Four-Rail Fence (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 1 rectangle | 10 1/2" × 3" | – |
| Background | 1 rectangle | 10 1/2" × 3" | – |
| Accent | 1 rectangle | 10 1/2" × 3" | – |
| Fabric 4 | 1 rectangle | 10 1/2" × 3" | – |
12" Four-Rail Fence (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 1 rectangle | 12 1/2" × 3 1/2" | – |
| Background | 1 rectangle | 12 1/2" × 3 1/2" | – |
| Accent | 1 rectangle | 12 1/2" × 3 1/2" | – |
| Fabric 4 | 1 rectangle | 12 1/2" × 3 1/2" | – |
How to make a 12" Four-Rail Fence block
- Cut the pieces in the chart above. All measurements include a 1/4" seam allowance.
- Lay all the pieces out as in the diagram. The block is a 4 × 4 grid, and each cell finishes at 3". Sew neighbouring pieces into sections, then the sections into rows, pressing seams in opposite directions from row to row.
- Join the rows. The block should measure 12 1/2" now and 12" once it is sewn into the quilt.
Yardage for a Four-Rail Fence quilt (12" blocks)
| Quilt size | Blocks | Finished size | Main | Background | Accent | Fabric 4 | Border & binding | Backing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby | 3 × 4 (12) | 42" × 54" | 1/2 yd | 1/2 yd | 1/2 yd | 1/2 yd | 1 yd | 3 1/2 yd |
| Lap | 4 × 5 (20) | 54" × 66" | 3/4 yd | 3/4 yd | 3/4 yd | 3/4 yd | 1 1/8 yd | 4 1/4 yd |
| Throw | 5 × 6 (30) | 66" × 78" | 1 1/8 yd | 1 1/8 yd | 1 1/8 yd | 1 1/8 yd | 1 3/8 yd | 5 yd |
| Twin | 6 × 8 (48) | 78" × 102" | 1 3/4 yd | 1 3/4 yd | 1 3/4 yd | 1 3/4 yd | 1 3/4 yd | 9 1/4 yd |
| Queen | 8 × 8 (64) | 102" × 102" | 2 3/8 yd | 2 3/8 yd | 2 3/8 yd | 2 3/8 yd | 1 7/8 yd | 9 1/4 yd |
| King | 9 × 9 (81) | 114" × 114" | 3 yd | 3 yd | 3 yd | 3 yd | 2 1/8 yd | 10 1/4 yd |
Blocks side by side with a 3" border, 2 1/2" binding, 42" usable width and 10% extra.
Four ways to set it
A throw quilt of 12" Four-Rail Fence blocks in each setting.
| Setting | Blocks | Finished size | Extra fabric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side by side | 30 | 66" × 78" | – |
| With sashing | 20 | 60" × 74" | Sashing 7/8 yd, Cornerstones 1/8 yd |
| Alternating plain blocks | 15 pieced + 15 plain | 66" × 78" | Plain blocks 2 yd |
| On point | 18 | 57" × 74" | Setting triangles 1 1/2 yd |
See Four-Rail Fence in your own fabrics
What to buy
| Fabric | Yardage | Cut |
|---|
Based on 42" usable fabric width, 1/4" seams and 10% extra. Your photos stay on your device.
Questions
How many fabrics does a Four-Rail Fence block need?
Four: main, background, accent and fabric 4. Choose a main fabric that contrasts clearly with the background so the design reads from a distance.
What size pieces do I cut for a 12 inch Four-Rail Fence?
1 main rectangle at 12 1/2" × 3 1/2"; 1 background rectangle at 12 1/2" × 3 1/2"; 1 accent rectangle at 12 1/2" × 3 1/2"; 1 fabric 4 rectangle at 12 1/2" × 3 1/2".
How many Four-Rail Fence blocks for a lap quilt?
20 blocks at 12", set 4 by 5 with a 3" border, make a 54" × 66" quilt.
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